"The boys know that Blu is capable of bouncing back big from a loss so we’re taking no chances," said Banal, whose Eagles trounced the Detergent Kings, 76-73, in Monday’s series opener.
Former high school phenom Larry Fonacier’s clutch endgame shooting saved the day for Ateneo, leading a bunch of scrappy role players who made things happen when starters Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez and Celino Cruz were lost under the weight of Blu’s defense.
The power-playing tandem of Villanueva and Alvarez struggled against Blu’s shackling double-team defense while Cruz, who scattered 13 points in the first three quarters, spent himself out on the offensive end.
But Fonacier and Ateneo’s shock troopers in Efren Valdez, Andrew Cruz and Jeremy Anicete — stepped up and provided the firepower and the hustle to deal Blu its first loss after three important wins.
"We succeeded in slowing down their starters," said Blu mentor Leo Isaac. "What we need to do in Game 2 is stretch our defense down to their role players and pray that breaks go our way the endgame."
Four of Isaac’s starters finished in double-digit scores with Marlon Legaspi and Tristan Codamon leading the way with 19 and 17 points, respectively. Aries Dimaunahan and Erick Dela Cuesta also made some significant contributions.
Arnold Calo, the hero of Blu’s playoff victory over ICTSI-La Salle that sent them straight to its first final appearance, was the missing link in Game 1 as he fired only five points and had six rebounds, way past his double-double average.